About

About AK Construction

AK Construction is a licensed general contractor that has served Northern California since 2003. Our 21st century approach to building custom homes and developing subdivisions is disrupting the industry and redefining construction processes. Co-creation and innovation are vital in producing outcomes that represent your ideas and visions as accurately as possible. Our team embraces established construction processes, while implementing the latest innovations and technology to ensure your expectations are not only met, but exceeded.

Andy Kwitowski founded AK Construction not to direct from a distance, but to be involved in each and every project. The staff at AK Construction reflects his values and prides itself on integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. The company has evolved from its finish carpentry and remodeling roots, to become a one-stop shop for all your design, new construction and subdivision development needs.

Our team has built a reputation in the Bay Area as the go-to licensed general contractor and construction management company as a result of impeccable work and referrals from our clients. We handle all facets of the construction process, from zoning and obtaining permits, to materials selection and color schemes. Our goal is to build your new home or subdivision in a timely manner and within budget. We build lasting relationships that continue to flourish well after project completion due to our commitment to client satisfaction.

AK Construction proudly serves the entire Bay Area. We specialize in building and developing properties in all areas of the Silicon Valley. Cities include Atherton, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Saratoga, San Jose and more.

About AK Construction

Our Team

Philanthropy

Careers

Testimonials

FAQ'S

Team members

Our Team

Serving the Greater Bay Area, AK Construction is a Licensed general contractor and construction management company with over 13 years of experience. Since their inception, AK Construction has remained a close knit team working together to provide total professionalism and integrity. The company has its foundation in finish carpentry and remodeling projects, but their sound reputation and ensuing referrals has allowed them to grow into one of Northern California’s Top Construction Firms.

By utilizing the finest craftsmen, we are able to develop properties which shine for many years to come. The impeccable, fine attention to small details and creative eye is noticeable in every stage of the development and facilitates both insight and a strong working relationship between AK Construction and the client. The owner, Andy, has remained an integral part of the company and is highly involved with each project. He and his team are passionate about design, improved construction techniques, and materials. Armed with 13 years of field experience, they understand what works in all the facets of construction and design. With this invaluable knowledge, the team at AK Construction will assist in material selections, choices on design and color schemes; a personal touch which has faded out in most construction firms.

Ultimately, from conceptualization to completion, Andy keeps his finger on the pulse of every build to ensure the utmost client satisfaction. Dedicated to professionalism and integrity, AK Construction maintains an astounding track record and has been privileged to build dozens of custom homes in Northern California. The team efficiently works together enabling productive projects that are on time and within budget. Andy and his entire team are proud of their reputation and grateful to have been able to fine tune AK Construction in such a way that their client base continues to entrust them with ongoing endeavors while forging lasting relationships.

Philanthropy

The American Dream is the culmination of persistence and perseverance. AK Construction owner Andy Kwitowski understands that his initial success would not have been possible without the help of other successful people. A humble disposition and remembering his roots has sustained that success.

AK Construction prides itself on giving back to the community and creating opportunities for others. We proudly support organizations aimed at helping underprivileged children and U.S. military veterans needing both financial and organizational support. In the recent years, AK Construction has donated 2% of annual profits to the following Charity's; St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, Gilroys Rebekah Children's Services and The Wounded Warriors Project. Our success is measured by both client satisfaction and advancing humanity for the better.

About AK Construction

Our Team

Philanthropy

Careers

Testimonials

FAQ'S

Team members

Careers

Collaboration, innovation, and opportunities to maximize your talents are what AK Construction team members love about the company. We are a 21st century firm that welcomes fresh concepts and groundbreaking methodologies, all while offering very competitive salaries and benefits packages. Submit your resume today and begin the process of revolutionizing your career.

Testimonials

“I have hired AK Construction for 4 projects, including 2 custom homes. AK is extremely well organized and keeps projects on-time and on-budget. It is not uncommon to see 2 or 3 trades working around each other at the same time and they consistently schedule inspections ahead of time to ensure there is no downtime. Due to AK’s excellent project management, my last custom home was completed in about 4 months. I highly recommend AK Construction.”

ClientClifton Wu

"We have been working with AK Construction exclusively on the development of our projects (14 of them) since the beginning of 2012 and I must say the experience and professionalism that this team brings to the table each and every day is unparalleled. We have been in this industry for over 30 years and we know a good thing when we see one…. AK construction is the best we have seen from a general contractor without question. Our projects are well planned out from the onset, we stride through approvals with relative ease, the construction process goes off without a hitch, and the end result is always a masterpiece. If you are looking for the best general contractor for your project there is no question that AK Construction is the team for you. Choose them and enjoy the process from start to finish"

ClientMatterhorn Enterprises

AK Construction built my home and I couldn’t be happier with the level of service and quality of craftsmanship I received. While building a home is exciting, it is also a stressful and at times frustrating process- particularly dealing with city planning and PG&E. After my plans were approved AK Construction completed my home in twelve weeks! The fast build time the result excellent planning and coordination with sub-contractors. My job site was constantly buzzing with activity and impeccably clean. Andy at AK Construction has such great attention to detail and clearly takes pride in his work – something the other contractors I considered lacked. I researched and considered a long list of local contractors. AK was not the cheapest builder, but far from the most expensive. While I paid a little more than the lowest bidder’s offer, I ended up saving tens of thousands of dollars by avoiding delays and costly rework. All you need to do is tour one of AK Construction’s recently completed homes to realize that AK Construction is one of the top builders in the Bay Area.

ClientMark G.

"AK construction built a custom home for me in 2016. AK construction is an amazing team because of their efficient communication, attention to detail, and professional project management. First of all, their responsive communication with me allows everything to move fast. Andy's attention to detail made sure my home has an overall elegant looking from exterior to interior without sacrificing functional convenience. His extremely valuable recommendations helped me make timely decisions throughout the project. Last but not least, the entire project management has been great. My house was completed 6 months from start to finish as planned. Even after we moved in, they still provided additional services within 12 months. AK construction is indeed a fabulous general contractor that I would highly recommend. "

ClientWendy

About AK Construction

Our Team

Philanthropy

Careers

Testimonials

FAQ'S

Team members

FAQ'S

How much does it cost to build a home in the Bay Area?

We get this question several times a week. The quick answer: no canned, one-size-fits-all response exists. The answer you seek is typically drawn from knowledge and insight our team has accumulated from building homes in the Silicon Valley. Clients need a comprehensive understanding of all the costs involved in building a custom home to ensure expectations are in line with the Bay Area’s real estate market.

Housing demand in Silicon Valley has far exceeded supply for many years, particularly when it comes to new construction. This trend has pushed costs to unprecedented levels. Median single-family home prices in the The Bay Area surpassed $800,000 in May, breaking the previous record of $752,000 set in June 2016. Santa Clara County homes topped the $1.05 million mark this past September, a near 15% increase from September 2016.

Vacant lots in Silicon Valley are rare in the 21st century. Clients commencing the custom build process for their dream homes have two choices: demolish an existing home and build a new structure on the lot, or renovate an existing structure. The latter route limits customization options, so acquiring land with an existing structure is the common and most likely course.

Silicon Valley Land Values - November 2017

Land acquisition is typically the highest single cost associated with building a new home in Silicon Valley. Prices vary greatly depending on location and whether there is an existing structure on the property.

Here is a quick snapshot of average lot sizes and prices in some of Silicon Valley’s most popular neighborhoods (NOTE: data derived from CoreLogic and Trulia; accurate as of November 2017).

NEIGHBORHOOD

AVERAGE LOT SIZE (square feet)

MEDIAN VALUE

Atherton

Atherton

34000

$6,585,600.00

Campbell

Greater Campbell

10300

$1,222,800.00

Los Altos

North Los Altos

10000

$2,926,900.00

Los Altos

Loyola/South Los Altos

10000

$3,011,600.00

Los Gatos

Los Gatos

8000

$1,897,300.00

Menlo Park

Central Menlo

10000

$3,519,900.00

Menlo Park

Fair Oaks

6000

$1,149,100.00

Menlo Park

The Willows

10000

$1,877,300.00

Menlo Park

Downtown Menlo Park

7500

$1,849,300.00

Mountain View

Downtown Menlo Park

6000

$1,626,600.00

Mountain View

North Shoreline

5000

$1,409,200.00

Palo Alto

Old Palo Alto

7500

$4,479,300.00

Palo Alto

Midtown

7500

$2,362,000.00

Palo Alto

South of Midtown

7000

$2,414,400.00

Palo Alto

Crescent Park/North Palo Alto

5000

$2,559,000.00

San Jose

Greater San Jose

4700

$1,076,400.00

Sunnyvale

Greater Sunnyvale

7200

$1,608,600.00

Construction Costs

Now that you have an idea of what the lot will cost, let’s move to construction costs. There are two categories: direct (hard) and indirect (soft) costs. Hard costs includes everything to build the actual structure: labor, materials, fixtures, excavation, landscaping, contractor fees, etc. The geographical location and the orientation of your lot can also be a huge factor in calculating hard costs. Excavation/Grading fees vary depending on your specific needs and request. A home built on a 15% grade slope (hill) may require more digging and leveling depending on how you choose to orient the house on the property. Of course, a basement would also greatly increase excavation fees.

Total project costs will also vary based on the type of home desired. Homes built in contemporary/modern style often have large glass panes with steel frames, both of which increase costs significantly. Mediterranean-style homes use stucco as a primary building material, which is relatively inexpensive. But the barrel tile roofs, travertine flooring, and oil-rubbed bronze or black fixtures commonly associated with these homes quickly increase costs. Craftsman homes utilize a variety of materials - brick, stone, wooden clapboard, etc - that vary hard costs. Features like built-in shelves, hardwood floors, specialty doors are also common features of Craftsman homes that influence hard material costs. A client's personal interior design choices will impact the total project costs and should be considered from the start.

Calculating the Numbers

The best way to determine total costs is by the square foot. The median home sale price per square foot in Palo Alto was $1,437 on October 31, 2017. Keep in mind that price includes the land and acquisition thereof. Hard construction costs typically fall in the $300 - $500 per square foot range, with soft costs adding an additional $75 - $125 per square foot.

Let’s say your family just purchased a 7,500 square foot lot in Midtown Palo Alto for $2.3 million (based on the chart above). You want to build a transitional home with an ultra-modern interior. You’ve set the hard construction budget at $350 per square foot. That means a 3,000 square foot home would cost $1,050,000 million to build. Now add in the soft costs: $1,050,000 * 25% = $262,500. That brings the rough, high-end grand total to $1,312,500 to build your home ($1,050,000 hard costs + $262,500 soft costs). Now add the acquisition costs to the construction costs ($2,300,000 + $1,312,500) and your new home all in will have cost you $3,612,500. Currently, the price of a brand new home Midtown Palo Alto would start at $4.5 million dollars.

Getting Started

A well-organized, reputable general contractor is important for streamlining both the permit processes and coordination of all the professionals who build your home. They should have a body of work to show, be well-connected with relevant city and county departments, be excellent communicators, and have strong partnerships with local subcontractors.

The home building process, when done correctly, can be an enjoyable, collaborative effort. You and the family will directly participate in all decision-making processes throughout and create memories that last forever. Our team has built some of the most magnificent homes in Silicon Valley over the last few decades. We’d love to hear more about your custom home project and answer any questions you may have. Contact our team at AK Construction today.

Factors such as; the availability of workers, materials selected, the square footage of the home, weather conditions, and the processing of permits by your city or county, all effect how long it could take to build a new custom home. If you are looking to build in the SF Bay Area, you should expect the construction of a new home to take anywhere from 8 months to 18 months or more.

Yes, AK Construction offers Design + Build services to our clients. We have an in-house Architect who can take your vision and turn it into a reality. Partnering with us for both the design and the build of your project provides you with a single point of contact and ultimate collaboration. Learn more about our Design services here, or by giving us a call today.

While AK Construction was founded in finish carpentry and house remodels, our business is no longer set up to service this type of project. We now focus our resources and attention exclusively on Construction Management, Custom Home Construction, Land Development, and Multi-Family Projects.